Latest figures show there are currently around 30 vacant GP positions in Stoke-on-Trent.

But it's not just here, GP numbers are declining across the country.

NHS England now has a target of recruiting 5,000 new GPs by 2020.

However, between September and December last year, GP numbers actually fell, by 0.6 per cent, down to 33,872.

Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: “This is very disappointing news – and frustrating as even a small drop in GP numbers can have a huge ripple effect on hard-working GPs, our teams and the care we are able to give to our patients.

There si a chronic lack of GPs across the country

“GPs are currently facing intense resource pressures, and we desperately need more doctors if we stand any chance of turning this crisis around.

“Workload in general practice has increased by at least 16 per cent over the last seven years, but the number of GPs delivering care to patients has not risen in step.

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“For some, the pressure has become too much and it’s genuinely awful that some GPs are prematurely leaving a profession, which, when properly resourced and funded, can be so rewarding and fulfilling.

We're standing up for the NHS in Stoke-on-Trent.

“But ultimately, it's our patients who suffer when we lose GPs and we need to make sure that, as well as retaining existing and experienced doctors, measures are taken to attract new GPs to the profession for the future.

GPs in numbers

44 – The number of GP practices in Stoke-on-Trent

33,872 – The number of GPs nationwide, as of December, 2017

5,000 – How many new GPs the Government wants to recruit by 2020

2,000 – The minimum number of overseas doctors the Government wants to entice to the UK over the next three years

“We need to start seeing the promises laid out in NHS England's GP Forward View, which include an extra £2.4bn for general practice, 5,000 more GPs and 5,000 more members of the wider practice team, delivered, in full, as a matter of urgency.

“GPs are the cornerstone of our NHS - a system which is the envy of the world – but there is a limit to what we can do and there simply aren't enough of us to deliver the safe care our patients need and deserve.”